I have so many questions, but we pass the nook in the trees where yellow tape cordons off the pool house. Nausea rolls in my stomach so I push on, passing the cupressus that shields it from view, leaving it alone in the shade of the forest's edge. Of course Willow is in a tiny black bikini; her skin a gorgeous shade of olive brought on by the sun. Perching on the corner of the sofa next to Phin, her leg brushes up against Mavis, who lays against both men, staring off into the trees whilst they play a non comitaltune. I think it’s meant to be a slow melody of The Larks current hit.
“When are the detectives getting here?” He asks the group, stopping on the fringe of the rug.
“They’re talking to our favourite rockstar.” Willow rolls her eyes, pressing her sunglasses back up the bridge of her nose. If they’re speaking to Wren for a second time, what movement on the case could they have made already?
I look up towards the grey stone hotel, it’s presence more looming than it ever has been. “We didn’t hear them come back?”
“It was pretty early. They wanted to speak with Phoenix." Merle replies. My best friend doesn’t even open his eyes, but lifts the champagne to his lips and in the process dribbles. His last rehabilitation program had encouraged no alcohol, which he’d respected for at least a year until he’d met Merle. Now I wondered if a trip away with Wren had done enough, especially looking at the drained champagne bottle in the grass.
Unperturbed he downs the entire glass, then lifts it in the air. “Robbie, be a darling and fill me up.”
“She’s not here to serve—”
“Sure. Just a little bit?” I cut Merle off, giving him an apologetic smile as I crouch down in front of the sofa to run my hand through his messy waves. “How are you feeling?”
“Dreadfully hungover. Like someone fucked me with a chainsaw.” He frowns dramatically, finally opening his baby blue eyes.
I lower my voice. “Did you have any food this morning?”
“Champagne is a great five a day.”
I try to keep my sigh in, rebating whether to refill his flute or end this madness before he gets wrecked before midday. Even behind the trees I can feel the pool house’s dark energy, a reminder of his loss. I so badly want to say fuck it, give in toletting him feel numb just for today—look past how damaging this could be to all the progress he’s made.
Slowly taking the glass, I fill it up half way and defeatedly give it back. I don’t miss Merle’s annoyed huff. Moving onto my knees, I remain below the sofa as Cardinal brushes past me and to my surprise, lifts Willow's ankle so it no longer touches Mavis and sits on the corner.
“Do you fucking mind?” She sneers and we all witness an anomaly that day, as a smile tugs his lip up into an amused smirk.
“Not at all Princess. Get comfy.” Scoffing, she shifts onto one hip and affectly turns her body from him. “Didn’t think to pack any clothes?” He continues, taking his index finger and running it under the shoulder strap of her bikini top.
“Brave man.”Jay stage whispers, and whilst Willow tries to hide how annoyed she is, he seems to bask in it.
“Wren won’t be long.” Phin tilts his head to me, but I focus my eyesight on the way Bran casually plucks the guitar strings.
“I don’t care.” I know it’s childish, but I’m nipping these feelings in the butt. I don’t care where he is, how long he’ll be and the sooner we can leave the better.
“Robbie…” he starts, but something tight in his tone makes me shut him down.
“What did the detectives ask you about?” I ask the group, lifting my knees up at an angle to rest my arms on them.
Mavis shifts on the blanket she’s laid out and Jay rubs his thumb soothingly across the back of her hand. The guitar falters, but Bran keeps playing the same three notes over.
“They wanted to know how we knew Corbin. Why we’d been invited, which guests did we know here, as well as other questions.”
“They think it’s one of us.” Phin sings songs, worrying me as he downs the glass I just poured for him.
“One of us?”
“Yep. In the dead of night, someone crept in and smashed him over the head.” He bites the air and makes claws, like he’s telling a scary bed time story.
“Phoenix that is enough.” His boyfriend says calmly, but it doesn’t cover up his distaste. “You’ve had enough to drink.”
Saluting him with his empty glass, he sits up in one quick movement. One moment he looked like he was nodding off, now I can see how red rimmed his eyes are and they’re bloodshot. “You’re the one who suggested we sit out here in this morbid garden. This entire place is tainted. We’re done, the hotel won’t survive and we’ve not even opened.”
“Now is not the time for this conversation!” Merle hisses, getting to his feet. “Detective Starling has asked to keep the library free for their use, so everyone needs to keep clear whilst they investigate. It’s probably for the best that we don't carry on with the weekend as planned, but I better go figure out our meal plans for the next couple of days.” With that he stalks towards the house, not turning back and his brother lets out a low whistle.
“Do you have to wind him up?”
Phin reaches down to pick up the bottle of bubbly, dumping his flute on the grass and keeps his chin high as he looks down at him. “No need to protect him, rockstar.”
